-Jorge Martin finishes second
-Marc Marquez crosses the line in third
-Pedro Acosta crashes while being in the leading pack
Pecco Bagnaia rode the ride of his life to kill the Catalunya curse and win the main race at the 2024 Catalan Grand Prix. The Italian has had a horrid history with this racetrack, when in 2023 he crashed at the start of the race and got run over by Brad Binder’s Factory KTM. Cut to 2024 and he crashed on the last lap of the Sprint Race on Saturday. The Main Race, however, turned out to be the comeback that he desperately wanted.
Bagnaia’s brilliance
As the lights went out, Bagnaia slotted into the lead and stayed there as per his plan. He knew he had to be there if he had to have a chance at taking the win. Spanish rookie sensation Pedro Acosta was behind Bagnaia in second and was piling the pressure on the reigning MotoGP World Champion but the leader kept his cool and position.
Jorge Martin, meanwhile, was in the mix for the battle for the lead as well. The trio were setting a hot pace when suddenly Acosta lost the front at Turn 10 and slid into the gravel trap. The Spaniard rejoined and tried to make up most of lost ground.
2024 World Championship leader Jorge Martin took the lead of the race for a few laps after passing Pecco by making a brilliant move. Pecco, however, was mindful of conserving his tyres for the latter half of the race and had the grip required to pounce on Martin in the closing stages and seal the race win. Martin settled for second but behind him there was a spectacular battle of the Spaniards between Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro.
Magic Marquez
Marc Marquez is proving to be the rider to watch out for as he once again charged his way up the field from P14 to P3. The Gresini Racing rider went all out in his race to the podium managing to keep Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro at bay who was trying hard to make it to the podium.
Marquez is looking like a strong contender for race wins in the season, if only he manages to qualify up the order.
The next round of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship will be held at the superb Mugello Circuit in Italy from May 31 to June 2.
